MPA Membership

The MPA has four levels of membership that allow businesses, organizations, individuals and even student newspapers to be part of the association, receive benefits and support journalism in Maine.

Regular members are comprised of Maine news-gathering organizations, excluding radio and television, that provide original news and editorial content, the majority of which is produced by local staff or purchased from recognized news sources, and that maintain a physical address in Maine for the express purpose of transacting business with the public. A Regular Member of the Maine Press Association shall follow the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics and is responsible only for content produced by their own newspaper, not by other publications they may print. Regular members have voting rights in the association, as well as access to the MPA’s annual conference, annual Better Newspaper Contest and Awards Ceremony, MPA Hall of Fame, training opportunities and the MPA newsletter. The membership fee for regular members is determined by the number of full-time employees + a base fee.

All other membership levels offer access to the annual conference, the MPA newsletter and the good feeling that comes with supporting journalism in Maine.

Associate members are comprised of (1) Maine magazines, trade publications, advocacy newspapers/websites, and periodicals, free or paid, that provide original news and editorial content, the majority of which is produced by local staff or purchased from recognized news sources, and that maintain a known office for the express purpose of transacting business with the public, and (2) public relations, marketing or communications firms or offices, and nonprofit associations, agencies, organizations or groups whose missions do not conflict with the Association’s goals, and (3) individuals and entities engaged in furnishing supplies, equipment or services to the Association’s members, or otherwise having a business interest in the purposes of the Association. Annual membership is $125.

Individual member: This level includes individuals either employed or formerly employed by the Regular Members, as well as freelance writers, editors, authors, columnists, photographers, videographers, graphic and web designers, critics, bloggers, and individuals engaged in public relations, marketing or any other occupation related to professional publishing, newsgathering, or journalism. Annual membership is $50.00

Student Newspaper Members: shall be comprised of student newspapers of Maine high schools, colleges and universities (whether supported by public or private funds), which are published on a regular, announced schedule with a known office of publication. Student Newspaper Members may attend educational events hosted by the Maine Press Association at no charge. Annual membership is $100.00

All new members are subject to approval by the MPA Board of Directors.

For more information or if you’d like to join the MPA, please contact Executive Director Diane Norton at mainepressmail@gmail.com.